CPI-M seeks CBI probe into Saradha chit fund scam

NEW DELHI: Claiming that names of top political persons are surfacing in the chit fund scam in West Bengal, a CPI (M) member today sought a CBI enquiry into unregulated money raising activities in the wake of Saradha Group allegedly defrauding investors of their money.

Prasanta Chatterjee, a CPI-M MP, demanded a CBI probe into the issue through a Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha.

"... since many poor persons have lost all their small deposits, I demand a court monitored CBI enquiry into the whole affair as already agreed by Assam and Tripura," he said.

Noting that the country is agitated over ponzi schemes, as found in the Saradha Group's activities, Chatterjee said that "unfortunately, names of some political stalwarts and influential people are coming to the surface".

Sebi and RBI have already made some preliminary enquiry on this issue and submitted a report to the government, he noted.

In April, the government had said that entities suspected to be engaged in running ponzi schemes are being probed by Sebi, RBI and the Corporate Affairs Ministry, among others.

The Income Tax Department has also initiated a probe into activities of Saradha Group. The Enforcement Directorate has also registered a case of suspected money laundering activities against this Kolkata-based group and others, including its chief Sudipta Sen.